[Enhanced automatic collision notification system. First field experience]. / Automatische Unfallmelder. Erste Erfahrungen aus der Anwendung.

Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of severe injuries. Outcome of these victims is substantially influenced by rescue time and primary trauma centre care. Nowadays, automatic crash notification systems (ACN) are available offering the major possibility of immediate initiation of the rescue chain and thereby shortening rescue time up to 50%. According to the EU commission a nationwide equipping of motor vehicles with automatic crash notification systems could save up to 2,500 lives per year. Therefore, all new vehicles should be equipped with an automatic crash notification system by 2014. BMW is the first manufacturer to install an enhanced automatic crash notification system (eACN), which could optimize the rescue triage by estimating the risk for severe injuries (MAIS3+) based on telemetric transmitted accident data.

Phototransduction in aplysia neurons: calcium release from pigmented granules is essential.

Increased free intracellular calcium mediates increased membrane potassium conductance in illuminated Aplysia giant neurons. The calcium source was examined by microprobe analysis of cytoplasmic pigmented granules. Illumination markedly depleted granules of calcium and altered them structurally. Release of calcium from granules is essential for phototransduction.

[Bulge of the scapholunate ligament: an arthro-CT sign of traumatic scapholunate instability]. / Un ligament scapholunaire bombé, signe arthrotomodensitométrique d'instabilité scapholunaire traumatique.

Tears of the scapholunate ligament are usually diagnosed during an arthro-CT or arthro-MRI examination. Typically, the contrast agent passes from one joint to the other. In certain cases, fibrous scar tissue devoid of any mechanical effect may block the passage and lead to an erroneous interpretation of the images. We reviewed retrospectively patients who underwent arthroscopic treatment for scapholunate tears and who had normal arthro-CT images. We searched for specific aspects suggestive of ligament injury. Analysis of the arthro-CT images demonstrated that a bulge of the scapholunate ligament could be noted in patients whose diagnosis of scapholunate ligament injury was established arthroscopically. We propose that appropriate lecture of wrist images can identify scapholunate ligament injury in patients wrongly considered to be free of wrist injury, but who actually have an occult injury to the scapholunate ligament.

[Treatment mapping of prostate cancer in DVPZ prostate centers in Germany]. / Versorgungsabbild zum Prostatakarzinom in DVPZ-Prostatazentren in Deutschland.

BACKGROUND: In prostate centers of the Governing Body of German Prostate Centers (DVPZ, Dachverband der Prostatazentren Deutschlands e.V.) treatment data from 3 university clinics, 21 treatment clinics, 3 private clinics and 330 general practitioners incorporated under 22 certificates are collated, in order to document the quality and type of cross-sectoral and interdisciplinary treatment, in particular of prostate cancer (PCA) patients. METHODS: This analysis is based on the DVPZ UroCloud data sets from 20 July 2015. The UroCloud reflects the web-based chronological disease development and quality parameters. For the descriptive analysis of particular key figures, available complete data sets were selected. RESULTS: Of the centers 22 held a valid certificate and fulfilled all required case numbers and structural prerequisites at the primary certification or recertification. In three cases a reauditing led to requirements before certification. Since 2005 a total of 9650 PCA patients have been pseudonymized and followed up (41,247 follow-up forms, 4.3 forms per patient). In 2014 the median number of newly documented PCA patients was 61 per center (minimum 7 and maximum 295). Radical prostatectomy (RP) dominated with 4491 (56 %) cases followed by primary hormonal therapy (1210 cases, 15 %), irradiation (809, 10 %) and non-interventional therapy, such as active surveillance (AS) or watchful waiting (WW) in 760 cases (10 %). A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) reduction was documented in 50 % of the patients with a preoperative PSA value > 20, in 60 % of pT4 tumors and in 50 % of patients with a tumor Gleason score of 9-10. A positive incision margin (R+) was found in in 15 % of pT2 stages, 41 % of pT3 stages and 85 % of pT4 stages. A secondary intervention was documented in 6.5 % of RP. CONCLUSION: The DVPZ certificate reflects the complete spectrum of treatment of PCA patients. The strength of the certificate lies in the documentation of patient development and a simultaneous collation of quality parameters.

An in situ procedure for the biopsy of pressure-wrapped hypertrophic scars.

A plexiglass device can be incorporated in the therapeutic elastic wrapping of hypertrophic scars. The removal of a small access port on this device permits the exposure of the underlying tissue for full-thickness biopsy without the necessity of first removing the pressure wrapping. The ultrastructural detail of tissues biopsied in this manner more readily reflects the in situ microarchitecture of the pressure-wrapped skin and/or scars.

Retention of the glycocalyx after cell detachment by EGTA.

Chinese hamster ovary cells were examined ultrastructurally following several detachment procedures. Alterations in the surface glycoproteins were observed by using ruthenium red in the fixation procedure. Trypsin removed a major portion of the cells glycocalyx and formed spherical cellular configurations. EGTA detached cells were also spherical, however, their glycocalyx appeared to remain although redistributed over the cell surface. Kinetic studies showed no alterations in subsequent population doubling times following either detachment procedure. EGTA may thus represent the current method of choice for cell detachment if preservation of the surface glycoproteins is of interest.

Examination of lymphocyte membranes of athymic "nude" mice by scanning electron microscopy.

Recent reports 1-3 have proposed that T-lymphocytes (thymus derived) could be distinguished from B-lymphocytes (thymus independent) by examining their features under the scanning electron microscope. T-cells were designated as having relatively smooth surfaced cells, whereas B-cells had "hairy" surfaces with many microvilli. We have examined this hypothesis in congenitally athymic "nude" mice, animals lacking T-cells,4 and have not been able to confirm these reports. We have found that lymphocytes from nude (nu/nu) mice are indistinguishable from lymphocytes obtained from normal littermates (NLM) and CBA/J mice. We have found that in all the murine lymphoid tissue examined, including nude, the complete gamut of cell surface types, ranging from smooth to "hairy" are present. Our studies indicate that the proposed T- and B-cell classification based upon human surface morphology under the scanning electron microscope is questionable in a mouse model. It is presently unclear whether the smooth lymphocytes seen in nude mice are immature B-cells, pre-T-cells, or another unidentified population of cells.

Bladder reconstruction in rabbits with glutaraldehyde-stabilized amniotic membranes.

Glutaraldehyde-treated human amniotic membranes were used to repair rabbit bladders after supratrigonal cystectomies. The membranes maintained the integrity of the bladders until healing and reepithelialization occurred. There was no significant loss of bladder capacity or decreased renal function postoperatively. Calcification did not occur on the membranes but was noted on chromic sutures retaining the membranes in 7 of 27 bladders. These findings suggest that glutaraldehyde-stabilized amnion is well tolerated by the urothelium and may serve as a suitable material for replacement of genitourinary tissues.

Surfactant effects on cuticular penetration of neutral polar compounds: dependence on humidity and temperature.

Effects of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG 400) and polydisperse fatty alcohol ethoxylates ("Genapols") on methylglucose penetration across cuticles of Pyrus communis were studied under different humidities and temperatures. All surfactants increased methylglucose penetration better than PEG 400. The efficacy was proportional to their own penetration. Genapol C-100 (C12.5E8.4; C, average number of carbon atoms in the alkyl chain; E, average number of ethoxy groups) effects were strongly concentration dependent (0.2-5 g/L). At 2 g/L distinct differences between surfactants were observed. Effects of Genapol C-050 (C12.5E5.8) did not depend on humidity (11-93% RH) and temperature (15-35 degrees C). They were maximal after application but decreased rapidly due to surfactant penetration. Genapol C-200 (C12.5E17) effects increased strongly with humidity and temperature both of which prevented its solidification. Genapol C-100 was superior under most conditions and never failed to increase penetration. There was no simple relationship between ethylene oxide content and surfactant effect.

Comparison of real world side impact/rollover collisions with and without thorax airbag/head protection system: a first field experience study.

After the introduction of the Thorax Airbag (TA) and the Head Protection System (HPS) by BMW there has been a significant reduction of injuries in real-world collisions. Comparison of similar collisions (in-depth collision analyses) of vehicles with and without HPS/TA indicates that the effectiveness of the system was credible. Minor injuries (AIS 1) increase while serious injuries (AIS 3+) are reduced. Based on the limited cases available, a proper statistical sampling could not be achieved at this time, however the results are to be understood as indicative of a trend.

Lipochondria and the light response of Aplysia giant neurons,.

The ultrastructure, absorbance, and elemental content of lipochondria present in the cytoplasm of Aplysia giant neurons have been investigated before and after 30-1,200 sec doses of white light at intensities which produce saturated light responses. The effects of exposure to the calcium ionophore A-23187 and to EGTA were also examined. The lipochondria of nonilluminated neurons are membrane-bound, and contain lipids, protein, Na, K, Mg Ca, Si, Cl, Br, P, and a pigment which is probably beta-carotene. The cytoplasm appeared to have little pigment. When neurons were illuminated for 20 min, 60-70% of the lipochondria showed marked ultrastructural alterations, the most notable being the appearance of membranous material. Earlier changes which occur after 30 sec of illumination include the appearance of paracrystalline arrays and mottling. Less than 10% of lipochondria in nonilluminated neurons have a similar appearance. These effects were greatly enhanced in illuminated neurons exposed to the calcium ionophore or EGTA. In nonilluminated neurons, the ionophore also produced ultrastructural changes. In frozen specimens, the calcium content of the most electron dense lipochondria of illuminated neurons was reduced. Other elements which were counted were also reduced. The lipochondria are the main intracellular site of photopigment. They may also act as an intracellular source for calcium which, as the accompanying paper indicated, may mediate phototransduction in Aplysia neurons.

[Hepatitis C virus antibodies (anti-HCV) prevalence rate in anti-HBc-negative blood donors]. / Hepatitis C-Virus-Antikörper (Anti-HCV) Prävalenzrate bei Anti-HBc-negativen Blutspendern.

Since 1986 only anti-HBc negative blood donors had been admitted for blood donations at the Heidelberg University Blood Bank. The maximum ALT-level for blood donors was set at less than or equal to 30 U/l. Four of 1514 blood donors (0.26%) were found to be anti-HCV positive. The routine screening of blood donors for anti-HBc in combination with an ALT-level less than or equal to 30 U/l leads to the observed lower prevalence compared to the rate found in German blood donors (0.26%/0.42% [1]).

Freeze-fracture study of taste bud pores in the foliate papillae of the rabbit.

In freeze-fractured specimens of taste buds from the foliate papillae of rabbits, the intercellular spaces are separated from the pore of the taste bud by zonulae occludentes of the "tight-type". Below these tight junctions numerous desmosomes are found at irregular intervals. The epithelial cells adjacent to the pore are also joined by single strands of fusion. The microvilli arising from the neck of the type I cells have a high particle density. The microvilli of type II cells and especially the short microvilli of peripherally situated cells have a lower intramembranous particle density. The single microvillus of type III cells has a very large diameter and is longer than the other microvilli. It contains a few larger intramembranous particles and vesicle-like protrusions of the membrane facing the cytoplasm. Transverse fracturing reveals a filamentous fine structure in all microvilli. The physiological implications of these observations are discussed.

Observations of globular membranes and apparent elementary particles in rat mitochondria, in situ.

Ultrastructural details of rat skeletal muscle, fixed in a PIPES-buffered glutaraldehyde solution, included the globular configuration of the outer and inner mitochondrial membranes as well as small transparent particles (80--100A diameter) distributed throughout the matrix of these organelles. The size of these particles and their intimate relationship with the innermost surface of the cristae suggests that they may represent an in situ visualization of the elementary particles once reported in intact cells and frequently observed in negatively stained mitochondrial preparations. The membrane configurations and particles were not discernable in these tissues when a phosphate buffer system was used in the fixation regimen.

The myofibroblast anchoring strand--the fibronectin connection in wound healing and the possible loci of collagen fibril assembly.

Myofibroblast anchoring strands (MAS) are extracellular structures that connect the termini of actin bundles within myofibroblasts to collagen fascicles in the extracellular space of wound healing tissues. The strands appear to be primarily comprised of microfibrils of fibronectin 2-5 nm in diameter. They also embody parallel arrays of intermediary sized filaments (ISF) and an amorphous matrix of collagen. The MAS effectively translate the cellular contractile forces required for cell motility into the collagen filament/fiber deformations required for wound contraction. However, the primary function of the strands appears to be the assembly of ISF into collagen fibrils.

Effect of tunicamycin, an inhibitor of protein glycosylation, on division of tumour cells in vitro.

We determined the effect tunicamycin (TM), an inhibitor of protein glycosylation, had on cells in vitro that were derived from solid and ascites variants of a chemically induced rat hepatoma. Using flow microfluorometry (FMF), labelling index (LI), and population-doubling time assays, we monitored the progression of cells through the cell cycle after treatment with TM. Cells in monolayer culture were first incubated in 0.05 or 0.10 micrograms TM/ml medium for 24 h then analysed or given fresh medium without TM and allowed to recover for 6-24 h. Exposing cells to 0.05-0.50 micrograms TM/ml medium did not affect the percentage of viable cells as determined using the Trypan Blue exclusion procedure. However, continuous exposure to 0.05 micrograms TM/ml medium did affect the population-doubling times of both the ascites and solid variants, and the ascites tumour cells were more sensitive than the solid tumour cells. TM reversibly inhibited hepatoma cells from entering S phase of the cell cycle. After exposure to TM for 24 h, the percentage of solid tumour cells in vitro in S phase decreased to 19%, as determined by autoradiography of tritiated-thymidine-labelled cells, and to 21% as determined by FMF; 49% of untreated solid tumour cells were in S phase. The percentage of ascites tumour cells in vitro decreased to 12% after exposure to TM for 24 h; 37% of untreated cells were in S phase. We concluded that TM can inhibit division of rat hepatoma cells in vitro by blocking them in G1 phase of the cell cycle.

A sample-grouping technique for paraffin embedments.

A technique is described which facilitates histological preparation of multiple tissue specimens for light microscopy. The procedure enables the investigator to separate and label identifiable subgroups from a larger number of specimens in one histological section. After standard fixation, murine esophagi were arranged longitudinally and secured within segments of murine intestine. Markers such as plant fibers and human hairs were threaded alongside the esophagi within each intestinal casing. After standard dehydration and infiltration, several segments of intestine were arranged parallel to each other and at right angles to the intended plane of sectioning and were embedded together in one paraffin block. This method made it possible to assemble onto one microscope slide cross sections of 42 individual esophagi in 6 identifiable subgroups, each containing 7 esophagi.